Chargers Have Another Short Injury List, Numerous Players Return To The Field
By Danny Cox
A small bit of pride and a little victory could be the cases at hand for the San Diego Chargers this week as their injury list is one of the shortest they've seen in almost a year. That is, of course, if you don't count the great number of players that are on the injured reserve (IR) list and done for the entire season.
Well, even with that being said, the Chargers are getting a number of players back this week for their game with the New York Jets. Most of these players have been on the sidelines with injuries for a couple weeks, and a few of them even longer.
Wide receiver Eddie Royal tops the list of names on the "Probable" list this week, and that is huge news for the Chargers. Royal has been out since earlier in November with a hamstring injury, missing considerable time. With wide receiver Malcolm Floyd landing on IR this past week, Philip Rivers is going to need another target out on the field offensively.
Speaking of Rivers, he will also get a bit more protection from his offensive line against the Jets.
The o-line has suffered quite possibly the most out of any other section of the Chargers' team in 2012. Every week, it seemed as if another injury had come into play and hindered them more. This week though, two names are returning back to the field in tackle Jeromey Clary and guard Tyronne Green.
With the amount of shifting and bringing in new players that the Chargers had to do, they'll be relieved to get two big, familiar bodies on the line. Philip Rivers will also be relieved to know that he probably won't be on the ground as much this week either.
Clary and Green are both listed as "Probable."
Also, on that list is running back Ronnie Brown, who will likely see considerable playing time if he is healthy enough. Starter Ryan Mathews landed on IR with a host of others this week and the Chargers are thin at the position. The team did re-sign rookie Edwin Baker to the roster as well.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebackers Takeo Spikes and Donald Butler are also both listed as "Probable" and should be on the field to face the Jets. These are both huge names for the Chargers to get back, and they could really spark the team defensively. Well, that and the team really has no idea what to do in defending against the Jets and their strange quarterback situation.
Linebacker Demorrio Williams though, will likely miss out on the game this week as his ankle is still giving him problems and he is listed as "Questionable." The defensive line will most likely also be without tackle Aubrayo Franklin as his knee is just bothering him too much, and he is on the "Doubtful" list.
Looking past the IR list and the big-time names sitting on it, the Chargers are looking relatively healthy. That really isn't something that has been said at all in 2012, so maybe it will help them finish out the season on a good note.
Probable:
- T Jeromey Clary (knee)
- G Tyronne Green (hamstring)
- LB Takeo Spikes (hamstring)
- WR Eddie Royal (hamstring)
- LB Donald Butler (groin)
- RB Ronnie Brown (hamstring)
Questionable:
- LB Demorrio Williams (ankle)
Doubtful:
- DT Aubrayo Franklin (knee)
Out:
None
Injured Reserve:
- DE Vaughn Martin
- S Darrell Stuckey
- WR Seyi Ajirotutu
- C David Molk
- LB Antwan Barnes
- S Atari Bigby
- OT Jared Gaither
- LS Mike Windt
- PK Nate Kaeding
- RB Ryan Mathews
- WR Malcolm Floyd
- OT Reggie Wells
For more Local Football Bloggers and the latest Chargers news, see CBS Sports Los Angeles.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
